Former cop going back to school, heading security for Rockford University

Friday

Apr 18, 2014 at 9:06 AMApr 18, 2014 at 9:06 AM

By Chris GreenRockford Register Star

ROCKFORD — An on-going topic of discussion at Rockford University is the possible installation of emergency call boxes throughout the campus.

While the school isn’t even on the Rockford Police Department’s radar when it comes to crime and violence, it is now Jeff Schelling’s responsibility to make sure it stays that way.

Schelling, 51, was honored with a retirement party last week after 24 years of service with the Rockford Police Department. Monday, he began a new chapter in his life as the university’s director of safety and security.

“I wanted to do something totally different and still stay connected,” Schelling said of law enforcement work. “I wanted to put my skills to use in a different venue.”

Just four days into the new gig, Schelling was still introducing himself Thursday to his staff of eight full- and part-time security officers and six dispatchers who also double as campus operators.

In coming days, he plans to meet with each before prioritizing goals and listing needs such as equipment and training. Any changes made will be made with one goal in mind — campus safety.

“I want to maintain the integrity of the campus,” Schelling said. “It’s open to the community. It’s open to people coming in to visit, but we also want to maintain the safety of the students and staff and the people who are coming and going. That’s going to be the No. 1 focus.”

The private liberal arts university of 1,250 full- and part-time students and 300-plus full- and part-time employees isn’t in a bubble, but close to it. The 130-acre campus is nestled several hundred yards off East State Street and has kept free from any headline-grabbing violence or crimes.

Still, Schelling said no university or college can take safety for granted.

“I think we have a good track record, but we all know that we are not immune to something happening,” he said. “So you do everything that you can to put in place what you can do. And you empower your staff, your faculty and your students to be your eyes and ears.”

Information can come from a number of means, like call boxes.

“I know on the many campuses that I have toured, those have become commonplace,” Schelling said. “You don’t have to have one on every corner, just so long as you have them strategically in place.”

Schelling called the boxes “a lifeline” for students, faculty and anyone else in need.

“It can be someone saying, ‘Hey my car broke down,’ or the student who says, ‘Hey, I’m walking and there’s someone on campus and I’m afraid.’”

Schelling also said he wants to revamp the student escort program to make it another “creditable” student resource.

Student escorts are not only valued by students, but they free up the security officers.

Rockford University freshman Darby Bird, 19, said campus security and escorts make her feel safe.

“At night, it can get too loud in the dorm, and we call security,” she said. “We have RAs (resident advisors), but sometimes they fall asleep.”

Monique Lindstedt, the university’s director of human resources, said Schelling’s background in law enforcement, connections with Rockford police and his outreach to other law enforcement agencies was what the school desired.

“We really wanted to emphasize someone who could relate with students, staff and faculty,” she said. “We are going to be looking to Jeff to make sure we have all our policies and procedures in place.”